Thursday, February 02, 2012

REVIEW: The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

If it wasn't for the absolutely brilliant Elizabeth Scott writing this book, I'm not sure if I'd want to read The Unwritten Rule. It's basic premise is that of a girl who has a mad crush on her best friend's boyfriend. And as a rule, I don't much care for cheating stories. But with those reservations in mind, I still picked up The Unwritten Rule. And I mostly enjoyed it. I found it surprising how my feelings about each of the characters seemed to change throughout the story.

Everybody knows that the boyfriends of friends are strictly off-limits, it's the unwritten rule, everybody knows it. None more so than Sarah, our conflicted main character of The Unwritten Rule. She's been friends with Brianna since they were really little. Sarah has long been used to the fact that boys flock to Brianna like crazy and the very few boys who have shown an interest in Sarah were only doing it in order to get closer to Brianna.

That is, until Ryan. Sarah liked him first, after he asked Sarah to a dance in 8th grade. The dance never happened, but Sarah's held onto her crush. Years later, after Ryan transforms from nerd to hot guy over the summer, Sarah and Ryan share this moment at a party. It's a pivotal moment, one that could mean something for the two of them, but then Ryan leaves with Brianna and they are instantly transformed into a couple. Sarah ends up being the third wheel. Again.

What I loved so much about this story is the changing views of each of the characters. I really liked Sarah as a character, she seems so guilty over her feelings for Ryan and she seems really aware of how much it would hurt Brianna and their friendship if anything ever happened between Sarah and Ryan. So she really tries to take herself out of the picture, even when things between Ryan and Sarah became a little more intense and tempting.

And while I thought Brianna would be the obstacle that we're all rooting for Sarah to just mow over and be with Ryan already, I think seeing Brianna from Sarah's point of view makes her less of the bad guy in this book. Obviously, yes, Brianna can be pretty mean and selfish and treat Sarah badly at times, but we can also see how Brianna came to be the person she did as we glimpse into her home life a little bit more. And I kind of felt bad for her.

It's an interesting story this one. I'm glad to have read it and Elizabeth Scott still remains one of my favourite ever authors!

12 comments:

  1. Great review. I think I'd have probably passed on this one based on the plot, but it definitely sounds like an interesting read.

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  2. Oooh, this book sounds awesome! This is a book I would pick up based on the premise. I'm not for cheating, but I am for emotional rollercoasters in books, and this woukld be one! Ooh, the agony of wanting to but not being able to, yet kind-of-maybe-actually being able to if she wants to be a cow.! Those emotions would be awesome to read. I like being upset for characters, it's brilliant!

    Thanks for the review, Clover! I'll be looking this one up.

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    1. Yeah, I think that's a better way of approaching this book! That it's an emotional rollercoaster of a story rather than one about cheating :)

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  3. I found this story really compelling - I read it far too quickly and then I wanted to read it all over again! I love Elizabeth Scott's books. Thank you very much for the great review, Clover!

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    1. I really love Elizabeth Scott books! And I will read her stories no matter what they are about! :)

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  4. Brilliant review - I think this sounds really good! Thanks for the review, I hadn't heard of it before!

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    1. Oh you should definitely pick up this or any book by Elizabeth Scott :) She's a particular favourite of mine!

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  5. This sounds really interesting! It'll have to go on the wishlist.

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  6. Agree with the despising of cheaters and cheating stories but this sounds interesting.... I think I might have to give it a go!

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    1. It is an interesting story and it feels like a lot more to do with the friendship between the two girls than to do with the relationship with the boy in question!

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